Emergency teams across SWFL prepare for hurricane season

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — Hurricane season begins on June 1, but emergency management teams across Southwest Florida prepare all year long.

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WINK News checked in with emergency management directors to find out how each county is gearing up and what residents need to know.

Memories of whipping winds and overwhelming storm surge from hurricanes Helene and Milton are still fresh in many minds. That is the reason local emergency teams prepare for the worst.

Several emergency management directors said while this year's forecasts call for fewer storms, it just takes one to destroy a community. Like many parts of Southwest Florida, Charlotte County is experiencing explosive growth.

Emergency Management Director Patrick Fuller said that can be a concern with hurricanes.

"We probably have an additional 10,000 plus new residents that didn't live here when Helene and Milton took place back in 2024, that means they haven't gone through an active hurricane season," Fuller said. "Getting the message out to those individuals is critical."

The message is "be prepared." Emergency management directors across Southwest Florida emphasize the importance of preparation, especially for new residents unfamiliar with the region's hurricane risks.